Rush’s Neil Peart: I’m a bleeding-heart libertarian

In a move that was long overdue, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or those who do the voting, finally admitted that Rush belonged in the Hall. Alongside such heavyweights as Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Michael Jackson and …

The Lovin’ Spoonful?

Really?

As a fan, and I admit I may be a bit biased, I think that Neil Peart is one of the greatest, if not the greatest rock drummer today. And drummers in the future will build on what he has done and accomplished.

I was reading an interview excerpt from an upcoming issue of Classic Rock Magazine. In it, Peart said the following:

“I believe in taxation and health care that is outside the usual libertarian mandate, because I don’t want people to have to suffer. It’s as simple as that. If people are suffering and I can help, I want to. But here’s the difference between being an idealist and a realist. Idealistically, I believe that we should help people. But realistically, do I think that government will do that? No.”

Mr. Peart doesn’t think the government will do that.

It isn’t a case of whether the government should do it or not, it is a belief that the government won’t do it.

If you want to help, Mr. Peart, why wait for the government to tax you?

People like him want to help, they really do. But they want to be told when and how much. They want to help, but they don’t want to foot the bill, so if they have to give some up, we all need to give some up.

Does that make him feel more charitable?

Liberals like to point out how Jesus said we should take care of the least among us. He did not say that we should give money to the government so they could take care of them. In fact, that is the exact opposite of what he meant, in deed if not in word.

“[Libertarianism’s] enlightened self-interest. Free will. I’ve lived in the US for the last 10 years, and I wanted there to be a health care system.”

Taxing people to pay for your “enlightened self-interest” is not free will.

I know that he’s a musician, but this is the attitude of the majority of the celebrity elite. If they must pay, we all must pay.